“The timing was right to begin looking at the right airplanes to meet our needs,” she says.

The airline now operates 120 Boeing 737s. The new order includes three designs.

They’re the Next-Generation 900-ERs, the MAX 8s and the MAX 9s. The Max jets are larger, for use on longer flights.

Boeing spokesman Tim Bader says the company’s Renton, Washington, 737 plant employs about 8,000 workers. He says the order boosts Boeing, as well as the airline.

“It provides Alaska with fuel-efficient planes that will serve them today as well as into the future. Additionally, it continues to build the momentum that Boeing Company has in the market with the 737-Max, which is our newest single-aisle airplane,” Bader says.

Those jets will use a new interior design, with larger overhead bins that allow for more headroom. Some will have redesigned leather seats that provide more legroom.

The airline’s Egan says fuel savings are not likely to lower ticket costs. But they could slow price hikes.

She says two-thirds of the 75 planes ordered will replace older jets. The others will allow Alaska to continue adding destinations.

“The remaining one-third, plus the 69 options that we now have, will position us for modest growth over the next decade and customers could look at us adding new routes over the next several years,” Egan says.

The airline says it will begin receiving 737s from the earlier order this month.

More about the 737 MAX:

Length: The 737 MAX 8 is 129 feet long and the 737 MAX 9 is slightly larger at 138 feet.

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